Stage 1 is for the sprinters. A flat 168 km with no KOMs should mean an easy day for the riders.
Richardson and Blouwe make the first move.
The first few moves by that due were unsuccessful, but then their teammates Vink and Lietaer countered. Joined by Oelerich.
They make it through the first intermediate sprint, Vink wins it. Their gap is still under 2 minutes.
BWT and Crabbe are looking to double their efforts in the breakaway. Stokbro and Ariesen are also attacking from the peloton.
The 5 riders join together and get a gap of over 3 minutes. The weather has also suddenly changed as we have rain in the desert. Lietaer wins the 2nd intermediate sprint.
Back in the peloton the teams controlling the pace are BNZ, Glanbia and Volcanica.
Lietaer wins the final intermediate sprint with 50 km to go. The breakaway's gap stands at 2'26''.
The original 3 escapees are the last to be caught, but only within the last 5 km. Also the wind has picked up to over 30 km/h. This could be a messy sprint.
Glanbia leading the way for Bennett followed by Ranneries. Abdul Halil and Vingerling are also on their own. Then it's Volcanica's train for Boivin. Vanderbiest, Bogdanovics, Avelino and Colbrelli are also in the picture.
Keough, Keukeleire and Wippert have made it to the back of the sprint train with 1 km to go.
The lead outs are done and Abdul Halil goes first with 600 m to go, trying to surprise the rest. Vingerling close by, everyone else in row 2.
Vingerling zips past him with 200 m to go. Keukeleire and Keough are pushing forward from behind.
 Michael Vingerling holds on and wins stage 1!  Bogdanovics and  Keough fill out the podium.
 Vingerling leads the overall and points classifications.  Thijssen is the best young rider.
Tour of the Middle East - Stage 1 
